Euphrates softshell turtle

The turtle was originally called Testudo rafcht by Guillaume-Antoine Olivier, who shot a three-foot-long specimen in June 1797 when crossing the Euphrates near Anah[6]

The Euphrates softshell turtle became known to the western science when the French naturalist Guillaume-Antoine Olivier shot a specimen while crossing the Euphrates near Anah in June 1797.[6] The local residents told him that the meat of this animal was not good to eat, but its fat was considered an excellent medication for a variety of skin diseases. Olivier named the species Testudo rafcht, because, as he said "the Arabs called it rafcht".[7]

Olivier's book did not explain what the name meant in Arabic; however a number of modern Arabic web pages say that the turtle is known locally as al-rafš (الرفش), which is translated in standard dictionaries as "the spade" or "the shovel", and perhaps refers to the shape of the creature's carapace.[8] Olivier passed the information about the creature to François Marie Daudin, who described it in his Histoire des reptiles (1801).[7][9]

Later naturalists apparently often misread Olivier's rafcht as rafeht.[10] The name Rafetus euphraticus, and the genus Rafetus itself, were proposed by John Edward Gray in 1864, who mentions in his work that the species had been variously known as Trionyx euphraticus, Testudo euphraticus, Trionyx rafeht, Tyrse rafeht, or Testudo rafeht.[11]

This freshwater turtle can weigh up to 20 kg (44 lb),[3] and it has a smooth leathery shell that can reach up to 68 cm (2.2 ft) in length.[4] The sexes are apparently alike in size and general appearance.[4] The upperparts are typically dull olive in colour, sometimes with an indistinct spotted pattern, especially on the head.[4] There are some minor variations in the colour pattern,[3] and rarely individuals may be dark brown or even black above.[4]

The Euphrates softshell turtle has been found in a wide range of freshwater habitats such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and marshlands.[4] It prefers areas with shallow and calm water, sandy banks and many fish (especially cyprinids).[12] Although it mainly resides in shallow calm water, this is typically adjacent to deep fast-flowing water.[4] In the fast-flowing Euphrates it generally avoids the main stem, instead occurring in side-branches or backwaters. In parts of the Tigris River with a slower flow, it occurs even in the main stem.[4] They bask on or at the banks of rivers, with some remaining in shallow water to avoid being on land.[3] They sometimes bury themselves into the bottom.[3]

The Euphrates softshell turtle is mainly active during the day, but some night-activity also occurs.[4] In parts of its range it is infrequently seen during the winter, likely due to the lower temperature.[4][12]

The Euphrates softshell turtle is an endangered species.[1] The primary threats are habitat loss and alterations,[4] but to lesser extent also pollution and killing by fishermen.[5] A major threat is dams, which alter levels of sediment and water temperature, and may flood areas. For example, the population in the Halfeti region disappeared entirely following the construction of the Atatürk Dam, possibly due to colder water, and once completed the Ilısu Dam will flood some known nesting sites of the species.[13] Numerous other dams are planned in the Euphrates-Tigris drainage.[4] Nevertheless, there are indications that they are able to use nesting sites near human and are not particularly vulnerable to general disturbance.[12] When basking on land they are very shy, retreating to water at the slightest hint of danger.[3] It has been reported from man-made habitats such as reservoirs and artificial canals near cities.[4] Despite its endangered status there are no specific conservations projects aimed at this species in most of its range, except one underway in Iran's Khuzestan Province.[4]